Buy Article:

Abstract:

Increasing demand for fresh-cut or ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables, developed to meet the consumer need for quick and convenient products, has prompted extensive research into their microbiological quality, safety, processing, and packaging. The microbial ecology of Listeria monocytogenes
is recognized as a major safety concern for fresh-cut produce. A survey was performed to collect information on consumption patterns of fresh-cut leafy green salads and the temperature of domestic refrigerators. Salad consumption was low-moderate: 24.3% of respondents never purchased fresh-cut
leafy green salads; of those who reported buying these products, 7.41% did so more than twice a week, 17.28% once or twice a week, 29.63% once or twice a month, and 45.68% occasionally. Saving time and convenience were the advantages most widely reported by consumers. A total of 9.9% of respondents
did not always respect the “use-by” date of fresh-cut salads, a negative practice that could contribute to the risk of listeriosis. Temperatures reported in domestic refrigerators were compatible with the growth of L. monocytogenes on ready-to-eat salads. Variations in average
temperature followed a normal distribution, N(6.62, 2.56), while the variability of temperature variance was described by a gamma distribution, G(2.00, 1.00). As expected, when a time of day–temperature profile was plotted over a 24-h period, changes corresponding to the
transition between day and night were observed. Knowledge of consumption patterns and consumer hygiene practices is essential, first in assessing the risk of listeriosis (risk assessment) and second in taking measures to manage that risk (risk management).

IAFP members must first sign in on the right to access full text articles of JFP First published in 1937, the Journal of Food Protection®, is a refereed monthly publication. Each issue contains scientific research and authoritative review articles reporting on a variety of topics in food science pertaining to food safety and quality. The Journal is internationally recognized as the leading publication in the field of food microbiology with a readership exceeding 11,000 scientists from 70 countries. The Journal of Food Protection® is indexed in Index Medicus, Current Contents, BIOSIS, PubMed, Medline, and many others.

Print and online subscriptions are available to Members and Institutional subscribers. Online visitors who are not IAFP Members or journal subscribers will be charged on a pay-per-view basis. Information can be obtained by calling +1 800.369.6337; +1 515.276.3344; fax: +1 515.276.8655, E-mail: info@foodprotection.org or Web site: www.foodprotection.org